My Side: CPS cases disturbing

Mark Engebretson

Posted:
08/14/2014 09:46:31 AM CDT

The high numbers of cases involving Child Protective Services is truly disturbing on several levels.The obvious problem is what happens to children. When it becomes so egregious that CPS must step in and take children from their parents, it means the home life for those children is, at best, not supportive of their health and welfare and, at worst, a threat to their health and safety.Children need their parents, that’s the foundation of growth and becoming an adult. The most influential person in a child’s life is the parent. Once gone, the very foundation of that child’s life is eroded, perhaps forever.Another level is the effect on that child being taken someplace to stay with strangers, perhaps hundreds of miles away. The fear of the unknown can have a traumatic effect on those who are so young and often do not understand the circumstances. All they know is that they are not at home and in a strange place with no friends, no family.The financial burden is also staggering. From taking children to foster homes, supporting foster families, legal costs, attorney fees and other services for the family.The hours and hours tied up in administering the program and the trips to court, often several times, is a burden on tax dollars. How much better would it be to use that money to help low-income families?Apparently, the majority of this stems from drug abuse. In conversation with County Attorney Phil Garrett, the problem seems to be handed from generation to generation.

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That is a cycle that must be broken, by whatever means.Perhaps it is time to once again toughen laws for drug use and possession. Dealing? The laws have to get tougher and plea bargains need to go away. No more coddling, no more “Oh it’s not his fault,” no more “If you promise, I’ll let you off with a little probation.”Guess it’s a good thing I’m not a judge — they’d probably toss me out on my ear.

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